Mackenzie Dern Defends Title In Victory Over Gillian Robertson
Saturday night, in the co-main event at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern defended her title over the No. 4 ranked challenger Gillian Robertson by a unanimous decision after 25-minutes of action.
Right out of the gate, it was clear that Dern’s plan was to finish the fight quickly by submission, which she almost accomplished on two occasions inside the first round. The opening five minutes ended with Dern holding a constricting choke with control of Robertson’s back, and that seemed to set the pace for the rounds to come.
DERN ALMOST HAD THE RD 1 SUB
[ #UFC330 is LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/rYAiEabyVa
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2026
As things progressed into the championship rounds, Dern slowed the pace, and the challenger could finally generate some offense. Robertson took the Brazilian to the ground in the final round and went to work with as many strikes as she could unload in the short amount of time left in the match. But despite being the clear victor in the final round through her control on the ground, it was too late for Robertson to make up for the one-sided nature of the earlier rounds, and Dern was declared the winner by unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Through this victory, Dern snapped Robertson’s six-fight win streak, while defending her title for the first time since earning the belt last October in her win over Virna Jandiroba.
Full UFC 330 Results
Main Card:
Islam Makhachev def. Ian Machado Garry via Decision (Unanimous) – Welterweight Title Match
Mackenzie Dern def. Gillian Robertson via Decision (Unanimous) – Strawweight Title Match
Jalin Turner def. Kau̻ Fernandes via Knockout (Left Hook) РRound 1, 0:39
Dustin Stoltzfus def. Mansur Abdul-Malik via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 2, 4:25
Esteban Ribovics def. Edson Barboza via TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 1:32
Prelimiary Card:
Chidi Njokuani def. Joel Alvarez via Decision (Unanimous)
Charles Johnson def. Eduardo Chapolin via Submission (Scottish Twister) – Round 3, 1:36
Donte Johnson def. Eric McConico via KO (Overhand Left) – Round 1, 1:38
Tresean Gore def. Vicente Luque via Decision (Unanimous)
Lucas Fernando def. Rafael Tobias via TKO (Knee) – Round 3, 1:10
Neil Magny def. Ramiz Brahimaj via TKO (Punches) Round 2, 3:20
Jeremiah Wells def. Myktybek Orolbai via Submission (Ninja Choke) Round 3, 1:24